Grand Californian Villas hotel reservations

[azstargirl]

Hi guys, this is my first post and I am very new to learning about DVC. We go to Disneyland every 12-18 months. We usually don't plan too far ahead and we always stay at the Grand Californian. I am very interested in the villas because they have kitchenettes/kitchens (am I the only one who thinks this is the biggest draw? Am I a weirdo??) Anyway, I was able to make a hotel reservation for a studio villa for November. Are there always going to be some units available as hotel reservations or will they all be DVC units soon/eventually? I guess my big question is: will I have to be a DVC member to stay in the villas in the future, or can I continue to stay in them as hotel rooms. My husband does not really want to buy in especially since we can just get a unit through the hotel. Gosh, I hope that made sense! Thank you!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I believe that you are asking if the Grand Californian is fully converting to a timeshare and the answer is no - you will be able to book hotel rooms without being a DVC member.

The timeshare portion is a new addition that was built where the valet parking lot used to be. At the same time they built additional hotel rooms so there are more available than there used to be.

 

[chalee94]

Anyway, I was able to make a hotel reservation for a studio villa for November. Are there always going to be some units available as hotel reservations or will they all be DVC units soon/eventually?

as long as GCV owners trade out, there will be cash reservations available, yes. but there are not a lot of villas available, period. it would be risky regardless of how you go about it.

I guess my big question is: will I have to be a DVC member to stay in the villas in the future, or can I continue to stay in them as hotel rooms.

since you book on short notice, you would not be able to get in as a DVC member anyway, IMO, as the points reservations would likely be booked well in advance. i'd recommend taking your chances with booking them just like hotel rooms.

 

[50 years Too!]

All DVC's have availability for Disney Reservations to rent out.
The price for rental is usually high, however.

 

[drewmisha]

What was the room rate for the studio villa you booked? I haven't been able to find rack rates anywhere. Knowing this will allow members who purchased VGC to know when their breakeven time is. Thanks.

Hi guys, this is my first post and I am very new to learning about DVC. We go to Disneyland every 12-18 months. We usually don't plan too far ahead and we always stay at the Grand Californian. I am very interested in the villas because they have kitchenettes/kitchens (am I the only one who thinks this is the biggest draw? Am I a weirdo??) Anyway, I was able to make a hotel reservation for a studio villa for November. Are there always going to be some units available as hotel reservations or will they all be DVC units soon/eventually? I guess my big question is: will I have to be a DVC member to stay in the villas in the future, or can I continue to stay in them as hotel rooms. My husband does not really want to buy in especially since we can just get a unit through the hotel. Gosh, I hope that made sense! Thank you!

 

[azstargirl]

I am paying 470 a night. I originally called and got several quotes for different dates and room configurations. I spoke to someone very helpful and knowledgeable. The rates were the same for the villas and the regular rooms when comparable, like a one-bedroom suite in the regular hotel was exactly the same price as the one-bedroom villa. The agent took great pains to explain that was not always the case, or would not always be the case, that is just what the system was giving him. The one-bedroom was 800-something a night. So expensive for me that I didn't bother paying attention to the exact price I have my quote written down somewhere, though if someone wants an exact. It was essentially twice as much as the studio

Now, once I had information in hand I talked it over with DH and made a more solid plan. I called Disney back and the agent told me that the villas were DVC only. I explained that I had gotten detailed quotes from another agent and gave her his name (Clayton BTW). She put me on hold forever and then I was transferred to the DVC line. I decided to try again later.

I called back and spoke to someone nice and motivated that also thought the villas were not available as hotel rooms. She checked and then was able to book the room. She told me that the villas would only be available as hotel rentals until the DVC filled up or until all the villas were requested by DVC members. She seemed a little confused and yet sure of her answer. So I thought I would ask the experts Yes, they should be Disney employees but in my experience I get awesome advice from forums. My husband thinks I'm silly, but he is always grateful that I seem to sort-of know what's going on.

So, I guess I am still not totally clear on if there will be Villas reserved as dedicated hotel rooms. I think the consensus is yes, but they will book up far in advance, just like the DVC villas.

Thanks you so much for all the responses!

 

[kerickson]

What was the room rate for the studio villa you booked? I haven't been able to find rack rates anywhere. Knowing this will allow members who purchased VGC to know when their breakeven time is. Thanks.

yes, I'm also interested in understanding the rack rates for the VGC rooms. I have a print out for BLT and AKV, haven't seen anything yet for VGC...

 

[tjkraz]

So, I guess I am still not totally clear on if there will be Villas reserved as dedicated hotel rooms. I think the consensus is yes, but they will book up far in advance, just like the DVC villas.

That's about right.

Right now Disney still "owns" most of the DVC villas. The points have not been sold to members. But once all of the points are sold (figure 6-12 months, give or take) DVC members will always get first crack at the villas.

In the event that a VGC owner "trades out" of DVC (uses points for a Disney Cruise or some other non-DVC option), a small block of dates will come available for cash bookings. But those numbers are not likely to be high. On any given day, there could be only 1 or 2 villas available for cash bookings, and then it's first-come, first-served.

For short-notice vacations, I think the odds are slim that you will ever be able to consistently book a VGC villa, either as a DVC member or a cash guest. You may get a room from time-to-time, but it will never be something you can count on having available whenever you want it.

 

[drewmisha]

May I ask when in November was your booking?

I think you should look into DVC if you plan to go every year to disneyland and only plan to stay @ the Grand Californian. If you have an annual pass, you may be able to save a bit more.

I am paying 470 a night. I originally called and got several quotes for different dates and room configurations. I spoke to someone very helpful and knowledgeable. The rates were the same for the villas and the regular rooms when comparable, like a one-bedroom suite in the regular hotel was exactly the same price as the one-bedroom villa. The agent took great pains to explain that was not always the case, or would not always be the case, that is just what the system was giving him. The one-bedroom was 800-something a night. So expensive for me that I didn't bother paying attention to the exact price I have my quote written down somewhere, though if someone wants an exact. It was essentially twice as much as the studio

Now, once I had information in hand I talked it over with DH and made a more solid plan. I called Disney back and the agent told me that the villas were DVC only. I explained that I had gotten detailed quotes from another agent and gave her his name (Clayton BTW). She put me on hold forever and then I was transferred to the DVC line. I decided to try again later.

I called back and spoke to someone nice and motivated that also thought the villas were not available as hotel rooms. She checked and then was able to book the room. She told me that the villas would only be available as hotel rentals until the DVC filled up or until all the villas were requested by DVC members. She seemed a little confused and yet sure of her answer. So I thought I would ask the experts Yes, they should be Disney employees but in my experience I get awesome advice from forums. My husband thinks I'm silly, but he is always grateful that I seem to sort-of know what's going on.

So, I guess I am still not totally clear on if there will be Villas reserved as dedicated hotel rooms. I think the consensus is yes, but they will book up far in advance, just like the DVC villas.

Thanks you so much for all the responses!